It is a bloody first for Squamish.
The Between Shifts Theatre Society is opening its 25th season with its first blood-splattered, horror-thriller Pontypool, on from Oct. 18 to 21 at Eagle Eye Theatre.
Pontypool, written by Canadian playwright Tony Burgess, follows a radio DJ who tracks a frightening new virus as it spreads through his small town of Pontypool via language.
鈥淏etween Shifts Theatre has never really done a Halloween play,鈥� said the production鈥檚 director Lisa Schaer, a former Howe Sound Secondary student.
鈥淭his play definitely has aspects of blood, zombie explosions 鈥� my zombie鈥檚 chest explodes 鈥� and a little bit of gore,鈥� she said.
The play is very suspenseful and is sure to have audiences on the edge of their seats, she added.
It is a coming home of sorts for Schaer.
Not only did she attend the high school years ago, but the producer of Pontypool is Janice Carroll, who taught Schaer at Howe Sound.
鈥淣o matter where I have gone in life, I have always come back to Eagle Eye theatre,鈥� Schaer said, adding she had worked on various productions at the theatre over the years, but this is her first time directing.
鈥淔or this play Tony Burgess so brilliantly wrote a lovely play that makes it really easy to direct because most, if not all, of my decisions are informed from the writing,鈥� she said.
She is also working with professional and enthusiastic actors, which makes her job easier, Schaer said.
Real life Mountain FM broadcaster Darren McPeake聽stars as DJ Grant Mazzy.
It is McPeake鈥檚 first time acting, but Schaer said he is 鈥渁 natural.鈥�
鈥淗e has fallen into his position as an actor with great ease,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e has great instincts, is really easy to work with.鈥�
Also in the cast is current Howe Sound Secondary student Glenn Gentil playing聽Nigel Healing and a French announcer.
鈥淭his kid is definitely an up-and-coming talent,鈥� Schaer said.
Whistler鈥檚 Myrna Iaconetti-Bush聽plays Dr. Mendez; Janice Hayden plays radio producer Sydney Briar; Avril Hanlon is Laurel-Ann Drummond and well-known theatre favourite, Kathryn Daniels plays Kate Loney.
鈥淚 always say Kathy can be picked up and dropped into any role and you can just rely on her 100 million percent to give you what you are looking for,鈥� Schaer said. 鈥淪he is just solid gold, always.鈥�
For tickets go to, .
